State of Alaska – Commercial Fishing Permits
For generations, those with adventurous spirits have been called north to Alaska. It is not too difficult to understand why. When it comes to enjoying the great outdoors, there are fewer more ideal settings than the sprawling and serene wilds of Alaska. With its vast wilderness and bountiful waterways, Alaska offers endless opportunities for outdoorsmen in both recreational and commercial capacities. For fishermen especially, the Frontier State is a paradise all its own. If you are looking into starting your own commercial fishing business, you are going to want to have a firm grasp of Alaska commercial fishing permits.
Commercial fishing can be a personally rewarding endeavor. Getting out on the open water on your lonesome, or along with a seasoned crew, offers a stark alternative to the 9-to-5 office life. It is also, however, a major industry in the United States economy, and as such, it is rather tightly regulated. In order to establish your commercial fishing operation within legal confines, it is a must to have all of the necessary state and federal permits.
Getting to Know the Alaska Department of Fish and Game
Throughout the coastlines of the United States, there exist waters that fall within federal and state jurisdictions. Federal waters are typically the area that comprises three to 200 nautical miles from land. State waters are not quite as expansive and usually encompass the area from zero to three nautical miles from shore.
Both state and federal waters are home to well-stocked fisheries, and in Alaska, this is especially true. To obtain federal fishing permits, you will need to work with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). They are the government agency tasked with issuing commercial fishing permits for federal fisheries. The NOAA offers a multitude of different permits, primarily broken down by region, including: Alaska, the Atlantic, the South, the West Coast, and the Pacific Islands.
State commercial fishing permits are issued, as you may have now guessed, by the state. In Alaska, the agency in charge of this is called the Alaska Department of Fish and Game. This regulatory office issues permits and assists in crafting legislation that aims to protect the pristine environment of Alaska. Headquartered in the capital city of Juneau, the Department of Fish and Game offers applications for fishing and hunting permits, as well as a host of other helpful information.
Determining Which Commercial Fishing Permits Your Business Needs
There is a lot that goes into designing a business plan. For a commercial or industrial fishing operation, some considerations are unique to that line of work. For example, you will need to secure a boat that is equipped for your needs. This can mean installing nets or lines, as well as outfitting the vessel for spending long stretches of time on the water. You may also need to hire a crew. As any business owner will tell you, the talent you hire can make or break your business, and it is critical that you seek out seasoned fishermen who understand important safety practices.
You are also going to have to determine which permits your business needs to operate. There are a couple of aspects to consider here, namely: What are you catching, and where will you catch it? Commercial fishing permits are often delineated by fishery and fish species. In Alaska, you will need a commercial fishing license and potentially some species-specific licenses. You may also need to register your vessel if it falls within the required parameters.
You can obtain these permits by contacting your local Alaska Department of Fish and Game office. They are also available on their website. Once you print, sign, and assemble the required payment, you can mail your permit application to Juneau for processing.
A similar approach is required for federal permits. You can visit the NOAA’s website, source the appropriate documents, print them, and mail them to your regional office.
Get Your Alaska Commercial Fishing Permits Online
Commercial fishing is hard work. Beyond being physically demanding, it is also a time-consuming profession. Odds are, in season, you may be out at sea for days or weeks at a time. With that in mind, do you really have time to stand in line at the post office?
At the Commercial Fishing Permits Center, we are a private service that helps business owners get the permits they need online. By simplifying complicated government documents into online forms, with our help, you can complete your application in mere minutes. Whether you need a state or federal fishing permit for Alaskan waters, our long list of offerings has you covered. We also employ an SSL-encrypted web portal, so you can rest easy knowing your personal information is transmitted securely. To learn more about our services, contact one of our helpful customer service representatives today.